You’d be forgiven, especially in such a high-profile presidential election year, if you’ve overlooked the Democratic race for the state Governor’s Council — Eighth District.
Hampden County Bar Association President Jeffrey S. Morneau and retired Springfield District Court Judge and former Springfield Mayor Mary E. Hurley — both of East Longmeadow — are seeking to win the Democratic nomination on Sept. 8 to replace Michael J. Albano of Springfield. There is no Republican nominee.
Members of the council, which approves the governor’s judicial appointments, as well as the appointments of clerk-magistrates and parole board members, meet weekly during their two-year terms.
The panel also advises the governor on potential prison pardons and commutations.
The annual salary for councilors, who meet weekly, is $36,025.
Hurley, who has emphasized in her campaign that 10 state district court judicial vacancies are in western Massachusetts, is promoting a resolution by judges in the four western counties calling for filling the openings along with those of other court personnel. She says, “It is time that the Governor’s Council had a representative from the Eighth District who is willing and able to stand up for our region.”
Morneau, who serves on the state’s Joint Bar Committee, reviewing and evaluating qualifications of judicial nominees for the governor, has called for greater diversity in the judiciary as “essential to delivering equal justice, restoring the public’s faith in the legal system, and countering any perceptions of bias,” and wants the makeup of the bench to better represent the larger community, “including women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and other under-represented groups.”
Hurley has been endorsed by former Springfield Mayor Charlie Ryan and former State Treasurer and state Rep. Shannon O’Brien. Morneau has been endorsed by Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.
The Eighth District includes the four western counties and the Worcester County town of Royalston, but excludes Ware in Hampshire County and five eastern Hampden County towns.
You can reach Richie Davis at: rdavis@recorder.com
or: 413-772-0261, ext. 269